Bus Rapid Transit

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

A few years ago, I tried to make a big city without a subway system, and instead opt for a BRT.  It is a type of bus system which runs on separate rights of ways from regular roads, so it operates sort of like a railway.  The first real-world example opened in Brazil in the 1970's.  

 

I tried this concept for SC4 in several cities.  So far, this is the biggest city I have that has no subway (around 850,000 with a tightly knit region of 2 million).  I opted instead for a BRT system, and tried a system in which I put 2 one way roads sandwiching a dedicated way for buses.  .

However, it is very difficult to fully segregate it from other traffic, so at certain points buses may come on and off the busway.  

 

Additionally, the buses may cross over the HOV lots and the bus stops.

[sirdanilot 8]

Wait, how exactly does this work? Do you have an HOV lot that is only accesible by buses and not cars? That's great ! Where can I get it? I always thought the only such lot was an actual bus stop

 

Buses also driving on normal roads is not really a problem; cities in Holland that have bus-only roads like these also have buses on regular roads, for example to service nieghbourhoods which are not served by the major bus system. However, cars getting onto the bus road is a big no-no.

 

Also, in such a large city I think you are going to be getting so much bus traffic that a single lane road is not enough, you would need a bus-only avenue on  the main arteries (for example near train stations or near highway entrances or something).

[UndercoverNinja12 176]

I can't believe I've never thought of doing this in SC4. Seems like a fun challenge!

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

Wait, how exactly does this work? Do you have an HOV lot that is only accesible by buses and not cars? That's great ! Where can I get it? I always thought the only such lot was an actual bus stop

 

Buses also driving on normal roads is not really a problem; cities in Holland that have bus-only roads like these also have buses on regular roads, for example to service nieghbourhoods which are not served by the major bus system. However, cars getting onto the bus road is a big no-no.

 

Also, in such a large city I think you are going to be getting so much bus traffic that a single lane road is not enough, you would need a bus-only avenue on  the main arteries (for example near train stations or near highway entrances or something).

 

 

And also, for some reason this part is one of the most heavily used segments.  The lots for some reason act as ramps on and off the busway.

[tjg 0]

To avoid cross over I used an entirely insullated road network with adjacent bus stops - one serving the "city" the other dedicated to the bus lane. I use this with some sucess to discourage high wealth from starting a job with a long commute - and with more sucess to maintain and invigorate a non-high tech industrial area.  Also - filled with poor - this area doesn't know it can't access schools and hospitals.  Be certain to duplicate your fire coverage on the separate system.

 

Cheers